Summary: The fires within the Mirror Lake Complex are slowly growing. As they do, containment of the Murdock and Slate fires are decreasing. The 2,806 acre Complex is now 15 percent contained; however, the Murdock Fire remains 21 percent contained and Slate fire is 17 percent contained.

The most growth is occurring on the Murdock Fire. It grew and additional 510 acres Thursday. It is burning in very steep drainages with 90 percent dead and down lodgepole pine trees and some aspen stands. These very dangerous conditions are preventing firefighters from safely working directly near the fire area. Instead, they are leveraging the bare granite Murdock Basin cliffs to contain the fire on its west flank while the southern flank is already contained.

Weather: An incoming dry cold front will begin bringing in gusty winds from the southeast and very dry air today through Sunday. By tomorrow, meteorologists are forecasting a Red Flag Warning to be in effect for very dry air and sustained winds over 30 miles per hour. These conditions will likely generate extreme fire behavior, especially on the Murdock fire. A large smoke plume is likely to be visible from Kamas, Utah or Evanston, Wyoming.

Today: Even though the Murdock fire is two and a half miles southeast of the Mirror Lake area, fire crews are limbing and removing brush in the area. A chipper is working with them to reduce buildup of the woody debris. This work is a precautionary measure firefighters are taking should winds shift and push the fire northwest. An area closure is in effect to ensure public safety and to protect firefighters while they work.

On the Slate fire, two hand crews and an engine are working to keep the fire from moving north into the Weber Cottonwood area, which reside 10 miles north of the fire. Hand crews are using pumps and hoses to extinguish the east flank of the northern finger, which they hope will be fully contained by the end of the weekend.

National Forest Trail and Road Closures are in place.

Murdock Fire: The Highline Trail, Naturalist Basin, Four Lakes Basin, East Fork Duchesne River Trail along with the Murdock Basin, Broadhead Meadows, Lost Creek Campground, Fehr Lake Trail, Mirror Lake Campground, North Fork Duchesne River Trail and Mirror Lake trails are CLOSED. Additionally, all areas on the south side of Utah State Route 150 (Mirror Lake Highway) between mile marker 22 and 35 are closed. See the area closure map for a description of this area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6223/48368/

Slate Fire: Yellow Pine Trail (Trail #240) is closed. Smoke may be visible from Highway 40 and Highway 150 around the Slate Creek and Yellow Pine areas, especially in the late afternoon.